Switch style bicycle shift control device

ABSTRACT

A bicycle shift control device includes a takeup element for pulling and releasing a shift control element, a first finger contact member, a second finger contact member, and an interconnecting member that rotates around a rotational axis. The interconnecting member interconnects the first finger contact member and the second finger contacting member so that the first finger contact member and the second finger contact member move in a same direction relative to the rotational axis. The first finger contact member has a first finger contact surface disposed on a first side of a plane, wherein the first finger contact member moves toward the plane when the takeup element moves in a pulling direction. Conversely, the first finger contact member moves away from the plane when the takeup element moves in a releasing direction. A second finger contact member has a second finger contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane, wherein the second finger contact member moves away from the plane when the takeup element moves in the pulling direction. Conversely, the second finger contact member moves toward the plane when the takeup element moves in the releasing direction. A first straight phantom line perpendicular to the first finger contact surface intersects a second straight phantom line perpendicular to the second finger contact surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of copending application Ser. No.09/519,014, filed Mar. 3, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to control devices for bicycletransmissions and, more particularly, to a shift control device thatoperates in the nature of a switch.

Bicycle transmission shift control devices have many different forms. Asimple transmission shift control device includes a rotatable leverextending from a wire winding drum such that rotation of the leverrotates the wire winding drum to pull and release a shift control wire.Sometimes a detent mechanism is incorporated into the shift controldevice so that the lever may be set in a plurality of predeterminedpositions to set the position of the shift control wire accordingly.More complicated lever-type shift control devices include multiplelevers and ratchet mechanisms disposed between the levers and the wirewinding drum such that rotation of one lever causes the wire to windaround the wire winding drum, and rotation of another lever causes thewire to unwind from the wire winding drum. Another type of shift controldevice includes an annular ring or sleeve that rotates around thebicycle handlebar. The ring or sleeve is directly or indirectly coupledto the shift control wire such that rotation of the ring or sleeve pullsand releases the shift control wire.

In all of the above types of shift control devices, either the shiftcontrol device has a complicated structure, thus increasing themanufacturing cost and risk of malfunction of the device, or else theuser must grab the lever or ring with at least the thumb and forefinger,sometimes accompanied with substantial movement of the hand, thusincreasing the effort to operate the shift control device. Thus, thereis a need for a shift control device that has a simple structure and canbe operated with minimal effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a bicycle transmission shiftcontrol device that has a simple structure and can be operated withminimal effort. In one embodiment of the present invention, a bicycleshift control device includes a takeup element for pulling and releasinga shift control element, a first finger contact member, a second fingercontact member, and an interconnecting member that rotates around arotational axis. The interconnecting member interconnects the firstfinger contact member and the second finger contacting member so thatthe first finger contact member and the second finger contact membermove in a same direction relative to the rotational axis. The firstfinger contact member has a first finger contact surface disposed on afirst side of a plane, wherein the first finger contact member movestoward the plane when the takeup element moves in a pulling direction.Conversely, the first finger contact member moves away from the planewhen the takeup element moves in a releasing direction. A second fingercontact member has a second finger contact surface disposed on the firstside of the plane, wherein the second finger contact member moves awayfrom the plane when the takeup element moves in the pulling direction.Conversely, the second finger contact member moves toward the plane whenthe takeup element moves in the releasing direction. A first straightphantom line perpendicular to the first finger contact surfaceintersects a second straight phantom line perpendicular to the secondfinger contact surface.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle shift controldevice includes a takeup element for pulling and releasing a shiftcontrol element, a first finger contact member and a second fingercontact member. As with the first embodiment, the first finger contactmember has a first finger contact surface disposed on a first side of aplane, wherein the first finger contact member moves toward the planewhen the takeup element moves in a pulling direction. Conversely, thefirst finger contact member moves away from the plane when the takeupelement moves in a releasing direction. The second finger contact memberhas a second finger contact surface disposed on the first side of theplane, wherein the second finger contact member moves away from theplane when the takeup element moves in the pulling direction.Conversely, the second finger contact member moves toward the plane whenthe takeup element moves in the releasing direction. A first straightphantom line perpendicular to the first finger contact surface issubstantially parallel to a second straight phantom line perpendicularto the second finger contact surface, wherein the first finger contactmember moves along the first phantom line and the second finger contactmember moves along the second phantom line.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle shift controldevice includes a takeup element for pulling and releasing a shiftcontrol element, a first finger contact member, a second finger contactmember, and an interconnecting member that rotates around a rotationalaxis. As with the above embodiments, the first finger contact member hasa first finger contact surface disposed on a first side of a plane,wherein the first finger contact member moves toward the plane when thetakeup element moves in a pulling direction. Conversely, the firstfinger contact member moves away from the plane when the takeup elementmoves in a releasing direction. The second finger contact member has asecond finger contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane,wherein the second finger contact member moves away from the plane whenthe takeup element moves in the pulling direction. Conversely, thesecond finger contact member moves toward the plane when the takeupelement moves in the releasing direction. In this case, the first fingercontact surface is disposed on a first side of the rotational axis, thesecond finger contact surface is disposed on a second side of therotational axis, and the takeup element is unbiased when the takeupelement is disconnected from the shift control element.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle shift controldevice includes a takeup element for pulling and releasing a shiftcontrol element, a first finger contact member, a second finger contactmember, and an interconnecting member that rotates around a rotationalaxis. As with the above embodiments, the first finger contact member hasa first finger contact surface disposed on a first side of a plane,wherein the first finger contact member moves toward the plane when thetakeup element moves in a pulling direction. Conversely, the firstfinger contact member moves away from the plane when the takeup elementmoves in a releasing direction. The second finger contact member has asecond finger contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane,wherein the second finger contact member moves away from the plane whenthe takeup element moves in the pulling direction. Conversely, thesecond finger contact member moves toward the plane when the takeupelement moves in the releasing direction. In this case, the first fingercontact surface is disposed on a first side of the rotational axis, thesecond finger contact surface is disposed on a second side of therotational axis, and a detent mechanism is maintains the takeup elementin only two positions. A first of the two positions is a cable pulledposition, and a second of the two positions is a cable releasedposition.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle shiftcontrol device includes a takeup element for pulling and releasing ashift control element, only one finger contact lever for moving thetakeup element, and a detent mechanism for maintaining the takeupelement in only two positions. A first of the two positions is a cablepulled position, and a second of the two positions is a cable releasedposition.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle shift controldevice includes a base member, a rotatable dial coupled to the basemember for rotation around a rotational axis, a finger contactprojection extending from the rotatable dial in a direction of therotational axis, and a shift element coupler disposed with the rotatabledial.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle shiftcontrol device includes a base member having a base member axis and arotatable member coupled to the base member coaxial with the base memberaxis, wherein the rotatable member rotates relative to the base memberaround the base member axis. A cam surface is disposed on at least oneof the base member and the rotatable member so that the rotatable membermoves in a direction of the base member axis when the rotatable memberrotates relative to the base member. A finger contact projection extendsfrom the rotatable member in a direction radially outwardly from thebase member axis, and a shift element coupler is disposed with therotatable member so that the shift element coupler moves in thedirection of the base member axis when the rotatable member rotatesrelative to the base member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a first embodiment of a shift controldevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cut away view showing how a control cable is connected tothe shift control device;

FIG. 3 is a cut away view showing a detent mechanism for the shiftcontrol device;

FIG. 4 is an oblique view of a second embodiment of a shift controldevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an oblique view of a third embodiment of a shift controldevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an oblique view of a fourth embodiment of a shift controldevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the shift control device shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cut away view of the shift control device shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of a shift controldevice according to the present invention;

FIGS. 10-12 are top views illustrating the operation of the shiftcontrol device shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a sixth embodiment of a shift controldevice according to the present invention;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are top views illustrating the operation of the shiftcontrol device shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is an oblique view of a seventh embodiment of a shift controldevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a detailed side view of the shift control device shown inFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the shift control device shown in FIG. 16illustrating the different operating positions of the shift controllever;

FIG. 19 is an oblique view of an eighth embodiment of a shift controldevice according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 20-22 are side views illustrating the operation of the shiftcontrol device shown in FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a first embodiment of a shift controldevice 10 according to the present invention mounted to a bicyclehandlebar 12; FIG. 2 is a cut away view showing how an inner wire 14 ofa Bowden-type control cable 46 is connected to shift control device 10,and FIG. 3 is a cut away view showing a detent mechanism 18 for shiftcontrol device 10. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, shift control device 10 ismounted adjacent to a brake control device 22 having a brake controllever 26 pivotably connected to a brake control device housing 30 foroperating a Bowden-type brake control cable 32 in a well known manner.Brake control device housing 30 includes an attachment band 34 thatsubstantially encircles handlebar 12 for mounting brake control device22 to handlebar 12 inward of a grip portion 36 of handlebar 12. Morespecifically, a mounting bolt 38 extends through an opening (not shown)in a mounting ear 42 and screws into a threaded opening (not shown) inan opposed mounting ear 46 for drawing mounting ears 42 and 44 towardeach other to tighten attachment band 34 around handlebar 12. Attachmentband 34 extends along a handlebar axis H, wherein handlebar axis H iscentered within attachment band 34.

In this embodiment, shift control device 10 is used to operate aBowden-type control cable 46 wherein a shift control element such asinner wire 14 slides within an outer casing 48. Shift control device 10includes a generally rectangular housing 50 that is attached tohandlebar 12 though an attachment band 54 that has the same structure asattachment band 34 (i.e., two mounting ears tightened by a mountingbolt, not shown). A conventional cable adjusting barrel 58 screws intothe side of housing 50 and terminates outer casing 48 of control cable46 in a well known manner. A takeup element 62 (FIG. 2) having a cablecoupling bore 64 and a winding surface 66 is disposed in housing 50.Cable coupling bore 64 engages a conventional cable end bead 65 of innerwire 14 for pulling and releasing inner wire 14. Inner wire 14 slightlywinds and unwinds around winding surface 66 during the pulling andreleasing operations. A first finger contact member 70 having a firstfinger contact surface 74 is disposed above and faces away from a planeP which, in this embodiment, contains an upper surface 75 of housing 50.A second finger contact member 78 having a second finger contact surface82 also is disposed above and faces away from plane P. Of course, theplane P need not contain the upper surface 75 of housing 50, and firstfinger contact surface 74 and second finger contact surface 82 need notface away from plane P.

An interconnecting member 86 is pivotably connected to housing 50through a pivot shaft 90 so that interconnecting member 86 rotatesaround a rotational axis R that extends in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to attachment band 54 and handlebar axis H. As shown moreclearly in FIG. 2, interconnecting member 86 interconnects first fingercontact member 70, second finger contacting member 78 and takeup element62 so that first finger contact member 70 and second finger contactmember 78 are located on opposite sides of rotational axis R and move(i.e, pivot) in a same direction relative to rotational axis R. As aresult, first finger contact member 70 moves toward plane P (from theposition indicated in solid lines in FIG. 2 to the position shown inbroken lines in FIG. 2) when takeup element 62 moves in a wire pullingdirection, and first finger contact member 70 moves away from plane Pwhen takeup element 62 moves in a wire releasing direction. Similarly,second finger contact member 78 moves away from plane P when takeupelement 62 moves in the wire pulling direction, and second fingercontact member 82 moves toward plane P when takeup element 62 moves inthe wire releasing direction. To facilitate this operation, first fingercontact member 70, second finger contact member 78, takeup element 62and interconnecting member 65 in this embodiment are formed as one pieceor at least integrally coupled together.

In this embodiment, first finger contact surface 74 is inclined relativeto second finger contact surface 82 such that a first straight phantomline LI extending upwardly and perpendicularly away first finger contactsurface 74 intersects a second straight phantom line L2 extendingupwardly and perpendicularly away from second finger contact surface 82,regardless of the position in which shift control device 10 is viewed.The resulting structure operates like a rocker switch. While such aphantom line is readily determined from the flat finger contact surfaces74 and 82 in this embodiment, such phantom lines also can be determinedeasily from embodiments with no flat finger contact surfaces by drawingthe phantom line perpendicular to a line that is tangent to the fingercontact surface at the point of contact between the phantom line and thefinger contact surface. Also, in other embodiments the intersection ofthe phantom lines could be located downwardly away from the fingercontact surfaces.

FIG. 3 is a cut away view showing detent mechanism 18 for shift controldevice 10. In this embodiment, detent mechanism 18 maintains takeupelement 62 in only two positions: the cable pulled position shown bybroken lines in FIG. 2 and the cable released position shown by solidlines in FIG. 2. Detent mechanism 18 includes a first recess 92, asecond recess 94 and a detent projection 98 formed on interconnectingmember 86. A spring 102 is disposed in a recess 104 in housing 50 forpressing a detent member 108 against interconnecting member 86. Thus,takeup element 62 will be maintained in the cable pulled position whendetent member 108 is disposed in first recess 92, and takeup element 62will be maintained in the cable released position when detent member 108is disposed in second recess 94. Unlike many prior art shift controldevices, no biasing mechanism is provided to bias takeup element 62,first finger contact member 70 or second finger contact member 78 towardany particular position. Thus, when shift control device 10 is notconnected to inner wire 14, takeup element 62, first finger contactmember 70 and second finger contact member 78 are free to float in therange determined by the circumferential width of first recess 92 andsecond recess 94.

As another feature of the present invention, we define a lever ratioLR=A/B, wherein A is the distance between the rotational axis R and areference line RL perpendicular to first finger contact surface 74, thedistance being measured perpendicular to reference line RL, and B is thedistance between the rotational axis R and the inner wire 14. Thelocation of RL is determined by adding 5 millimeters to the radius ofcurvature R1 (in millimeters) of the edge of first finger contact member70. In this embodiment, R1 is one millimeter, so RL is located 6millimeters from the edge of first finger contact member 70. Preferably,0.8<LR<2.

FIG. 4 is an oblique view of a shift control device 10′ which representsa second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment isconstructed the same as shift control device 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3except where shown or noted. Accordingly, the same components arenumbered the same.

This shift control device 10′ differs from shift control device 10 inthat housing 50 extends radially outward from attachment band 54 andhandlebar axis H, and rotational axis R is substantially parallel tohandlebar axis H. Also, housing 50 includes a wire guide portion 120with a cable guide surface 124 for changing the direction of inner wire14 so that control cable 46 can extend substantially parallel tohandlebar 12 in a well known manner.

FIG. 5 is an oblique view of a shift, control device 10″ whichrepresents a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodimentis constructed the same as shift control device 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3except where shown or noted. Accordingly, the same components arenumbered the same.

This shift control device 10″ differs from shift control device 10 inthat a lever 140 that is integrally formed as one piece withinterconnecting member 86, first finger contact member 70 and secondfinger contact member 78 extends outwardly from plane P between firstfinger contact surface 74 and second finger contact surface 82. Thus,shift control device 10″ can operate like a rocker switch by pressingfirst finger contact surface 74 or second finger contact surface 82.Alternatively, shift control device 10″ can operate like a toggle switchby moving lever 140.

FIG. 6 is an oblique view of a shift control device 200 which representa fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is an exploded viewof shift control device 200, and FIG. 8 is a cut away view of shiftcontrol device 200. As shown in FIGS. 6-8. shift control device 200includes a base member or housing 204, a housing cover 208, a takeupelement 212 for pulling and releasing a shift control element such asinner wire 14 of control cable 46, a first finger contact member 216having a first finger contact surface 220 disposed on a first side of aplane P and facing away from plane P (which may include an upper surface222 of housing 204), a second finger contact member 224 having a secondfinger contact surface 228 disposed on the first side of plane P andfacing away from plane P, a first spring 232 disposed between a bottomfloor 236 (FIG. 8) of housing 204 and first finger contact member 216for biasing first finger contact member 216 upwardly, a second spring240 disposed between bottom floor 236 and second finger contact member224 for biasing second finger contact member 224 upwardly, aninterconnecting member in the form of an interconnecting lever 244having a first end 245 and a second end 246 connected between firstfinger contact member 216 and second finger contact member 224, and apawl 252 which functions as a detent mechanism interconnected betweenfirst finger contact member 216 and second finger contact member 224.Interconnecting lever 244 rotates around a pivot axis A defined by apivot shaft 248 inserted in an opening 250 located between first end 245and second end 246 and for communicating forces applied to one of firstfinger contact member 216 and second finger contact member 224 to theother one of the first finger contact member 216 and second fingercontact member 224.

Housing 204 includes a circular opening 260 for receiving handlebar 12therethrough, a takeup element mounting boss 264, a first guideprojection 265 and a second guide projection 266. Takeup elementmounting boss 264 includes a takeup element mounting shaft 268 having athreaded opening 272 for rotatably mounting takeup element 212 theretousing a screw 276 and washer 280. Takeup element mounting boss 264 alsoincludes a threaded opening 284 for threadingly engaging cable adjustingbarrel 58 which terminates outer casing 48 of control cable 46. Firstguide projection 265 slidingly mates with a guide slot 267 in firstfinger contact member 216 for stably guiding first finger contact member216 when first finger contact member 216 moves relative to housing 204as described more fully below. Similarly, second guide projection 266slidingly mates with a guide slot 269 in second finger contact member224 for stably guiding second finger contact member 224 when secondfinger contact member 224 moves relative to housing 204. Housing cover208 is mounted to housing 204 using screws 270. The entire assembly isattached to handlebar 12 by an annular clamping ring 288 having mountingears 292 and 296 and a screw 300 similar to the above embodiments.Clamping ring 298 is attached to housing 204 by a mounting screw 304.

Takeup element 212 includes a wire winding drum 310 and a drive gear 312coaxially mounted with wire winding drum 310. Wire winding drum 310includes a wire winding surface 316 and a cable coupling projection 320with a cable coupling bore 324 for receiving cable end bead 65 therein.

First finger contact member 216 includes a pawl mounting recess 330 forreceiving a head 334 of pawl 252 therein and a pawl mounting projection338 for engaging a complementary groove 342 in head 334 of pawl 252.First finger contact member 216 also includes a lever coupling abutment346 for contacting first end 245 of interconnecting lever 244. Secondfinger contact member 224 includes a pawl receiving recess 350 having adetent projection 354 for engaging a second end 358 of pawl 252, a levercoupling abutment 362 (FIG. 8) for contacting second end 246 ofinterconnecting lever 244, and a gear rack 366 for engaging gear 312 oftakeup element 212.

As a result of the see-saw movement of interconnecting lever 244, firstfinger contact member 216 moves toward plane P when takeup element 212moves in a pulling direction, and first finger contact member 216 movesaway from plane P when takeup element 212 moves in a releasingdirection. Conversely, second finger contact member 224 moves away fromplane P when takeup element 212 moves in the pulling direction, andsecond finger contact member 224 moves toward plane P when takeupelement 212 moves in the releasing direction. A first straight phantomline L1 perpendicular to first finger contact surface 220 issubstantially parallel to a second straight phantom line L2perpendicular to second finger contact surface 228, wherein first fingercontact member 216 moves along first phantom line L1 and second fingercontact member 224 moves along second phantom line L2. As with the aboveembodiments, such phantom lines also can be determined easily fromembodiments with no flat finger contact surfaces by drawing the phantomline perpendicular to a line that is tangent to the finger contactsurface at the point of contact between the phantom line and the fingercontact surface. To vary the mechanical advantage of first fingercontact member 216 and second finger contact member 224 in thisembodiment, pivot axis A is located closer to first end 245 ofinterconnecting lever 244 than second end 246 of interconnecting lever244. Of course, pivot axis A could be located closer to second end 246of interconnecting lever 244 than first end 245 of interconnecting lever244, or pivot axis A could be located in the center of interconnectinglever 244, depending upon the requirements for a particular application.

As with the above embodiments, shift control device 200 sets takeupelement 212 in one of two positions, a cable pulled position (shown insolid lines in FIG. 8) wherein first finger contact surface 220 islocated close to plane P, second finger contact surface 228 is locatedremote from plane P, and second end 358 of pawl 252 is located in theportion of recess 350 below detent projection 354; and a cable releasedposition (shown in broken lines in FIG. 8) wherein second finger contactsurface 228 is located close to plane P, first finger contact surface220 is located remote from plane P, and second end of pawl 252 islocated in the portion of recess 350 above detent projection 354.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a shift control device 400 representing afifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 10-12 are top viewsillustrating the operation of shift control device 400. As shown inFIGS. 9-12, shift control device 400 includes a base member 404, anattachment band 408 and a shift lever 412. Base member 404 includes apivot shaft 416 extending upwardly from a floor 422 and having a centralopening 420, a cable guide 424 having a cable guide opening 428 forreceiving a cable 14 therethrough, a relatively resilient detent wall432 having a generally triangular detent projection 436 extendingradially inwardly toward pivot shaft 416, and limit stops 437 and 438for limiting the range of motion of shift lever 412.

Attachment band 408 extends from base member 404 and has a substantiallycylindrical shape. A mounting hole 450 aligns with a mounting hole 454in a mounting ear 460 for receiving a mounting screw 464 therethrough.Attachment band 408 is tightened around handlebar 12 (not shown) usingscrew 464 and a nut 468.

Shift lever 412 includes a takeup element in the form of a wire pullingdrum 472 and a lever portion 476 extending radially outwardly as onepiece from wire pulling drum 472. Wire pulling drum 472 includes acentral mounting opening 478 for receiving pivot shaft 416 therethrough.Thus, shift lever 412 is supported for rotation around an axis A definedby pivot shaft 416. Wire pulling drum 472 also includes a wire receivinggroove 480 for receiving wire 14 therein during rotation of wire pullingdrum 472, a cable coupling bore 484 for receiving cable end bead 65 ofwire 14 therein, a generally triangular detent projection 488 extendingradially outwardly from a side wall 492, and a motion stop 494 extendingradially outwardly from side wall 492. Shift lever 412 is fastened tobase member 404 by a fastener 496 extending into central opening 420 inpivot shaft 416.

As with the above embodiments, shift control device 400 sets wirepulling drum in one of two positions: a cable pulled position shown inFIG. 10 and a cable released position shown in FIG. 12. FIGS. 10-12 showthe operation of shift control device 400 as shift lever 412 moves fromthe cable pulled position shown in FIG. 10, wherein detent projection488 on cable pulling drum 472 is located above detent projection 436 ondetent wall 432 and clockwise rotation of shift lever 412 is limited bycontact between motion stop 494 on cable pulling drum 472 and limit stop437 on base member 404, to the cable released position shown in FIG. 12,wherein detent projection 488 on cable pulling drum 472 is located belowdetent projection 436 on detent wall 432 and counterclockwise rotationof shift lever 412 is limited by contact between motion stop 494 oncable pulling drum 472 and limit stop 438 on base member 404. Whendetent projection 488 initially contacts detent projection 436 duringcounterclockwise rotation of shift lever 412, the angled side walls ofeach detent projection causes the relatively resilient detent wall 432to move radially outwardly to allow detent projection 488 to move pastdetent projection 436 and assume the position shown in FIG. 12. The sameoccurs when shift lever portion 412 moves clockwise from the positionshown in FIG. 12 to the position shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a shift control device 500 representing asixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 14-15 are top viewsillustrating the operation of shift control device 500. Shift controldevice 500 includes a base member 504, an attachment band 508 and ashift dial 512. Base member 504 includes a pivot opening 516, a cableguide 524 having a cable guide opening 528 for receiving cable 14therethrough, and a motion stop 537 for limiting the range of motion ofshift dial 512.

Attachment band 508 extends from base member 504 and has a substantiallycylindrical shape. A mounting hole 550 aligns with a mounting hole 554in a mounting ear 560 for receiving a mounting screw 564 therethrough.Attachment band 508 is tightened around handlebar 12 (not shown) usingscrew 564 and a nut 568.

Shift dial 512 includes a substantially circular dial portion 570, apivot shaft 576 for rotation around an axis A defined by pivot shaft576, a shift element coupler 580, a motion limiting groove 581 extendingin a circumferential direction and defining limit stops 582 and 583(FIGS. 14-15) for receiving motion stop 537 therein, and a fingercontact projection 584 extending from dial portion 570 in a direction ofaxis A away from base member 504. In this embodiment, finger contactprojection extends diametrically across dial portion 570 in a directiongenerally perpendicular to rotational axis A. Pivot shaft 576 includes aslot 588 and a locking abutment 590 so that pivot shaft 576 may becompressed to allow locking abutment 590 to pass through pivot opening516 in base member 504 so that locking abutment will abut against thelower surface 594 of base member 504 and thereby rotatably lock shiftdial 512 to base member 504. Shift element coupler 580 is fitted withina coupler bore 595 in dial portion 570 and includes a cable end beadreceiving opening 596 for seating cable end bead 65 of wire 14 so thatwire 14 is coupled to dial portion 570.

As with the above embodiments, shift control device 500 sets shift dial512 in one of two positions: a cable released position shown in FIG. 14,wherein counterclockwise rotation of shift dial 512 is limited bycontact between motion stop 537 and limit stop 583, and a cable pulledposition shown in FIG. 15, wherein clockwise rotation of shift dial 512is limited by contact between motion stop 537 and limit stop 582. Thisembodiment does not have a detent mechanism, but if desired a detentmechanism similar to the one used in shift control device 400 or anyother embodiment may be provided.

FIG. 16 is an oblique view of a shift control device 600 representing aseventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a detailedside view of shift control device 600. In this embodiment, shift controldevice 600 includes an attachment band 604 for mounting shift controldevice 600 to handlebar 12, a generally cylindrical base member 608having a base member axis B, a cap screw 610 for covering an end of basemember 608, and a rotatable member in the form of a finger contact lever612 coupled to base member 608 so that finger contact lever 612 rotatesrelative to base member 608 around base member axis B.

As with the above embodiments, attachment band 604 extends from basemember 608 and has a substantially cylindrical shape. A mounting hole624 (FIG. 18) aligns with a mounting hole 628 in a mounting ear 632 forreceiving a mounting screw 636 therein. Attachment band 604 is tightenedaround handlebar 12 using mounting screw 636.

Base member 608 includes a slot 638 (FIG. 17) on a side surface 639thereof forming a cam surface 640. Cam surface 640 includes a firstpositioning surface 644 extending in a circumferential directionsubstantially perpendicular to axis B, a second positioning surface 648extending in a circumferential direction substantially perpendicular toaxis B and displaced from first positioning surface 644 in the directionof axis B, and a generally straight transition surface 652 extendingcircumferentially between first positioning surface 644 and secondpositioning surface 648 and inclined relative to both surfaces.Transition surface 652 may slightly overshoot first positioning surface644 as shown in FIG. 17 to provide a detenting function. A casingterminating opening 655 is used to terminate outer casing 48 of controlcable 46.

Finger contact lever 612 includes an annular cable coupler portion 660,a cam follower portion 668 for contacting cam surface 640, and a fingercontact portion 672. Cable coupler portion 660 rotates around axis B andincludes an opening 664 for receiving wire 14 therethrough. Cable endbead 50 of wire 14 abuts against the left side of cable coupler portion660 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Both cam follower portion 668 andfinger contact portion 672 extend radially outwardly from cable couplerportion 660 and axis B so that finger contact portion 672 is disposedoutside of base member 608.

FIG. 18 is a front view of shift control device 600 illustrating thedifferent operating positions of shift control lever 612. As with theother embodiments, shift control device 600 moves between a cable pulledposition, wherein cam follower portion 668 abuts against firstpositioning surface 644 as shown in FIG. 16, to a cable releasedposition, wherein cam follower portion 668 abuts against secondpositioning surface 648. This is accomplished by rotating finger contactlever 672 from the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 18 to theposition shown in broken lines in FIG. 18. As finger contact lever 672rotates, cam follower portion 668 moves within slot 638 and slidesagainst transition surface 652 so that cable coupler portion 660 movesin the direction of axis B to the cable released position.

FIG. 19 is an oblique view of a shift control device 700 representing aneighth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 20-22 are detailedside views illustrating the operation of shift control device 700. Inthis embodiment, shift control device 700 includes a generallycylindrical base member 708 integrally formed with brake control devicehousing 30 and a generally cylindrical rotatable member 710. Base member708 includes a rotatable member coupling opening 712 defining a basemember axis B that is coaxial with wire 14 when wire 14 is coupled toshift control device 700. Base member 708 also includes a cam surface715 defining a pair of V-shaped first positioning surfaces or recesses716 (FIGS. 20-22) disposed 180° from each other (only one suchpositioning recess 716 is shown in FIGS. 20-22) and a pair of V-shapedsecond positioning surfaces or recesses 718 disposed 180° from eachother (again, only one such positioning recess 718 is shown in FIGS.20-22), wherein first positioning recesses 716 are displaced from secondpositioning recesses 718 in the direction of axis B.

Rotatable member 710 includes a cable end bead coupling opening 724(FIG. 22) for receiving cable end bead 50 therein, a finger contactprojection 728 extending radially outwardly from a side wall 732, a camsurface 736 defining a pair of sawtooth-shaped positioning surfaces orprojections 740 disposed 180° from each other (only one such positioningprojection 740 is shown in FIGS. 20-22), and a tubular couplingprojection 744 with a coupling flange 748. Tubular coupling projection744 has a slot 752 so that tubular coupling projection 744 may becompressed radially to fit through rotatable member coupling opening 712in base member 708 until coupling flange 748 is disposed on the leftside of base member 708 as shown in FIGS. 20-22. This prevents rotatablemember 710 from decoupling from base member 708.

Operation of shift control device 700 is shown in FIGS. 20-22. FIG. 20shows shift control device 700 in the cable released position wherepositioning projections 740 engage first positioning recesses 716. Tomove shift control device 700 to the cable pulled position, fingercontract projection 728 is pressed downward as shown in FIG. 21 to causerotatable member 710 to rotate relative to base member 708 and to causecam surface 736 on rotatable member 710 to slide against cam surface 715on base member 708. This causes rotatable member 710 to move in thedirection of axis B to the left as shown in FIG. 21 until positioningprojections 740 engage positioning recesses 718 as shown in FIG. 22 andshift control device 700 is set in the cable pulled position.

While the above is a description of various embodiments of the presentinvention, further modifications may be employed without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the size,shape, location or orientation of the various components may be changedas desired. The functions of one element may be performed by two, andvice versa. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature(s). Thus, the scope of the invention should not belimited by the specific structures disclosed or the apparent initialfocus on a particular structure or feature.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle shift control device comprising: atakeup element for pulling and releasing a shift control element; onlyone finger contact lever that rotates around a rotational axis formoving the takeup element, wherein the finger contact lever extendsradially outwardly in a direction centered at the rotational axis; adetent mechanism for maintaining the takeup element in only twopositions, a first of the two positions being a cable pulled positionand a second of the two positions being a cable released position; andwherein the detent mechanism comprises: first and second recesses; adetent member that is biased toward at least one of the first recess andthe second recess; and wherein at least one of the detent member, thefirst recess and the second recess rotate with the takeup element. 2.The device according to claim 1 wherein the finger contact lever extendsoutwardly from a wire pulling drum that extends around the rotationalaxis.
 3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the finger contactlever and the wire pulling drum is one piece.
 4. The device according toclaim 1 wherein the finger contact lever is rotatably mounted to amounting member, and wherein the detent mechanism further comprises afirst detent projection projecting from the takeup element and a seconddetent projection projecting from the mounting member.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 1 further comprising a first finger contact surfacedisposed on a first side of a plane, wherein the first finger contactsurface moves toward the plane when the takeup element moves in a cablepulling direction, and wherein the first finger contact surface movesaway from the plane when the takeup element moves in a cable releasingdirection.
 6. The device according to claim 5 further comprising asecond finger contact surface disposed on the first side of the plane,wherein the second finger contact surface moves away from the plane whenthe takeup element moves in the cable pulling direction, and wherein thesecond finger contact surface moves toward the plane when the takeupelement moves in the cable releasing direction.
 7. The device accordingto claim 6 wherein the finger contact lever is disposed between thefirst finger contact surface and the second finger contact surface.
 8. Abicycle shift control device comprising: a takeup element for pullingand releasing a shift control element; only one finger contact leverthat rotates around a rotational axis for moving the takeup element,wherein the finger contact lever extends radially outwardly in adirection centered at the rotational axis; a detent mechanism formaintaining the takeup element in only two positions, a first of the twopositions being a cable pulled position and a second of the twopositions being a cable released position; a first finger contactsurface disposed on a first side of a plane, wherein the first fingercontact surface moves toward the plane when the takeup element moves ina cable pulling direction, and wherein the first finger contact surfacemoves away from the plane when the takeup element moves in a cablereleasing direction; a second finger contact surface disposed on thefirst side of the plane, wherein the second finger contact surface movesaway from the plane when the takeup element moves in the cable pullingdirection, and wherein the second finger contact surface moves towardthe plane when the takeup element moves in the cable releasingdirection; wherein the finger contact lever is disposed between thefirst finger contact surface and the second finger contact surface; andwherein the first finger contact surface is substantially parallel tothe plane when the takeup element is in the cable pulled position, andwherein the second finger contact surface is substantially parallel tothe plane when the takeup element is in the cable released position. 9.The device according to claim 1 wherein both of the first and secondrecesses are engaged by the detent member, and wherein the detent memberis biased radially toward the first and second recesses.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 9 wherein the detent member is biased radiallyinwardly.
 11. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first andsecond recesses are formed on the takeup element.
 12. The deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein both of the first and second recesses areengaged by the detent member, and wherein the first and second recessesare the only recesses engaged by the detent member for maintaining thetakeup element in the only two positions.
 13. The device according toclaim 1 the takeup element and the detent mechanism are disposed withina housing.
 14. The device according to claim 13 wherein the takeupelement is pivotably connected to the housing.
 15. The device accordingto claim 1 wherein both of the first and second recesses are engaged bythe detent member, and wherein the detent mechanism further comprises aspring that biases the detent member toward the first and secondrecesses.
 16. A bicycle shift control device comprising: a takeupelement for pulling and releasing a shift control element; only onefinger contact lever that rotates around a rotational axis for movingthe takeup element, wherein the finger contact lever extends radiallyoutwardly in a direction centered at the rotational axis; a detentmechanism for maintaining the takeup element in only two positions, afirst of the two positions being a cable pulled position and a second ofthe two positions being a cable released position; wherein the detentmechanism comprises: first and second recesses; a detent member that isbiased toward the first and second recesses; and wherein at least one ofthe detent member and the first and second recesses rotate with thetakeup element; wherein the first and second recesses are the onlyrecesses engaged by the detent member for maintaining the takeup elementin the only two positions; and wherein the takeup element and the detentmechanism are disposed within a housing.
 17. The device according toclaim 16 wherein the first and second recesses are formed on the takeupelement.
 18. The device according to claim 17 wherein the detent memberis biased radially toward the first and second recesses.
 19. The deviceaccording to claim 18 wherein the detent mechanism further comprises aspring that biases the detent member toward the first and secondrecesses.
 20. The device according to claim 19 wherein the detent memberis biased radially inwardly.